Sacred Living - The Art of Being with 'What Is'

In a recent meditation experience I was drawn to some feelings of discontent that I found to be generally lodged in the crown of my head and solar plexus. It’s a good idea to use the body to ground our experience when attempting to access the unconscious mind.  In meditation I begin by scanning my body for unpleasant feelings, beginning at the top of my head and ending at my toes.  When I started my meditation that particular morning my first question was “Why is this happening?”  I then realized it’s just what was happening and my meditation was an ideal time for me to be present to it!

Whatever I am feeling has nothing to do with anything other than myself.  It is simply what is happening inside of me, and therefore is my responsibility to be present to the upset.  It is proven to be utterly useless to attempt to divert the responsibility elsewhere.  So I invoked the Presence of my Higher Self to be present within my heart as I sat in meditation to be with my discomfort.

To my great joy and surprise a gentle calm began to wash over me.  I thanked my Divine Indweller for the grace I was receiving.  A few minutes later the feelings of a traumatic experience during my early childhood came screaming into my calm inner space.  It was a violent incident of not being able to protect myself from an angry outburst from one of my relatives in whose care I was left while my parents were away.

I soon recognized that the memory was triggered during a gathering I attended the night before.  It was a small circle of people.  One individual in the group was feeling very unsettled and carrying a great deal of anger.  I recalled feeling disturbed by his emotional state, which was an indication that something within me was resonating with that emotion.  It offered a perfect opportunity to find out why!

With the understanding that this forgotten and buried memory held within it a potential for deep healing I allowed the fear and sorrow I was experiencing to express while I was in the safety and privacy of my morning meditation. I shook and cried, feeling the fear and hurt I have carried throughout my life because of this long forgotten incident, all the while with an underlying recognition and gratitude that my prayers for liberation were being answered.

This practice has taught me to listen more deeply to what’s going on inside of me than any other wisdom teaching I’ve encountered.  As I have learned to be present to my thoughts and feelings, my opportunities for growth and self-awareness have broadened exponentially. Through it I’ve gained a greater understanding of the complexity of my inner landscape, which allows me to also be more present to others.  This is what I regard as the blessing and gift of a community of people that comes together for the shared intention of spiritual growth.

In sacred circle, as in life, each of us is touched in some way by the other.  This is simply “what is”.  Sometimes we may think it’s a good thing or a bad thing that touches us through others.  In the greater reality it is neither good nor bad.  The real question is what each of us does with what is given.  Our reaction might show up as complaining, belittling, blaming others, anger or upset.  These are all natural and common experiences, part of the human condition.  However, when we are triggered by someone else, or disgusted by our own behavior, the art of being with what is offers a peaceful resolution if practiced sincerely.   Committing to spiritual practice offers many new options and opportunities for growth and healing that such challenges provide